Draft 2011: Lottery Preview

Team Needs
Depth, Defense, Scoring - Positional needs: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Center. Depth is the name of the game here, continue to develop players at each position and prepare them to learn the system that Coach Corbin lays out for the team.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Jazz
Landing a top-3 pick is about as likely as landing a back stage pass to a Justin Bieber concert… if we were into that sort of thing. A top-3 player could be just what we need to propel us back into the playoffs. It could also stimulate player movement, as we could use this pick to obtain depth or future draft picks. Taking a deeper look at the top-3 crop we can see how each of the consensus players would aid this team. Kyrie Irving being the player that would take the reins of a team that recently traded a floor general away to position themselves for a quick rebuild. Derrick Williams a player some may consider a tweener and that depending on whom you talk to could play some 3 as well as 4 in the league thanks to his explosive first step. Enes Kanter being a player that lit up the Nike Hoop Summit with amazing play, eclipsing Dirk Nowitzki's point total for the holy pre-draft event.

Jazz Lottery Luck
We have none. Some may call Kevin O'Connor's 2005 draft-day trade with Portland to move up and acquire Deron Williams, "luck." And they would be wrong. That’s just good, old fashioned "wheeling and dealing" folks. Does anyone even remember the last time we won a tie-breaker coin toss? Sacramento, do you? The long of it is that we've given up on traditional luck aiding devices; shamrocks, coins, horseshoes, rabbits feet - BAH! But we do not turn our noses at those whom continue to wear the lucky socks, lucky jersey what-have-you, it may be because of their good mo jo that we continue to be so unversed in the subject matter that is "Lotto-luck". Continue to rub those magic devises however, we'll take what we can get.

Team Needs
The Bobcats underwent a late-December coaching change, made two major deals at the NBA trade deadline and were riddled with injuries as the season wrapped up, playing with nine healthy players the last two weeks of the season – and they still finished just three games out of a playoff spot at 34-48 overall. One year removed from their first playoff appearance, the goal is to return in 2012 with nucleus of emerging players in guards D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson and forwards Tyrus Thomas, DJ White and Dante Cunningham. Captain Jack’s (Stephen Jackson) veteran presence is also key, but the stats show Charlotte has two pressing needs to fill – a big man who can rebound and a scorer (from anywhere). Free agent to be Kwame Brown led the Bobcats on the glass last season, but his 6.8 rebounds per game were lowest of any team’s leading rebounder in the league. Charlotte ranked 24th overall in rebounding (40.2) but managed a league-low 38.6 boards in the 25 games after the trade deadline. A healthy Thomas will help in 2011-12, but with decisions to be made on Brown and Cunningham, the Bobcats need to find some inside help in the draft. They’d also like to find a scorer. Charlotte was 29th in scoring (93.2 points) and tied for 29th with New Orleans with only 23 games scoring 100+ points – 19 games behind the 42-game league average. Jackson’s 18.5 points were good for 30th in the league, but the Bobcats are still looking for that impact offensive player they’ve yet to see in a blue and orange uniform in Charlotte.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Bobcats
This might be the Bobcats biggest draft in franchise history. The team set itself up nicely at the 2011 trade deadline, acquiring two first round picks, freeing up cap space and landing two young, talented players in White and Cunningham. Following the season, Bobcats Chairman Michael Jordan compared Charlotte’s plan to that of the Chicago Bulls, who were able to land a top rookie in Derrick Rose three years back and were able to build around him with the likes of Carlos Boozer on their way to the No. 1 seed in the playoffs this year. Remember, the Bulls moved up from No. 9 in 2008 to land the first overall pick. The Bobcats enter in the ninth position this year and a vault to the top three could prove equally effective for General Manager Rod Higgins to fill a need and get an impact player, while also leaving some options open with the No. 19 and 39 picks this year.

Bobcats Lottery Luck
This will be the Bobcats seventh lottery appearance, and the ping-pong balls have yet to bounce their way. In fact, the only way that Charlotte improved its position was in its expansion year in 2004 when it was given the No. 4 pick by the NBA and traded it to the Los Angeles Clippers to move up to No. 2 overall. Other than that, the Bobcats pick remained status quo in 2006, 2007 and 2009, but they fell back two spots to No. 5 in 2005 and one spot to No. 9 in 2008. What does it all mean? Hopefully its time for Charlotte’s luck to change. They’ll be sending Head Coach Paul Silas with a lucky charm that a fan submitted in the Bobcats Facebook contest. Silas has had past success at the lottery. He represented the Charlotte Hornets when they jumped from 13th to 3rd in 1999 and is hoping for a similar, or better, result in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Team Needs
When a franchise drops 63 games, the wish-list can be extensive. But the Cavaliers have to feel good about themselves in a couple areas. Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions are a strong 1-2 punch at the point and, in the season’s second half, J.J. Hickson cemented his status as one of the league’s top young power forwards. The return of Anderson Varejao, combined with the emergence of Samardo Samuels and Ryan Hollins gives the Cavaliers a set of good young bigs, but they’d still like to add depth and scoring here. Where Cleveland is most thin is on the wing. Anthony Parker netted double-figures just three times in Cleveland’s final 17 games and, although Alonzo Gee finished strong, the Cavaliers would love to add scoring punch to the small forward spot. Frontcourt depth and versatile wing players will be high on the Wine and Gold’s list of priorities.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Cavaliers
After the much-publicized events of the 2010 offseason, the Cavaliers became a league-wide cautionary tale. And although some pieces remained from a team that won 127 games over the past two years, the Cavs suffered one of the toughest campaigns in their history. Cavalier fans stood patiently by the team, even through a 26-game losing streak, and a deadline deal netted both Baron Davis and an extra lottery pick. The Cavaliers uncovered diamonds in the rough this season and closed the campaign feeling good about their future. With key players like Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao returning to health and youngsters with a year of experience under their belts, it’s not unthinkable that a Top 3 pick can get them back into the postseason. This past year, Cleveland’s coaching staff made rotation players out of undrafted rookies and D-Leaguers. Imagine what they could do with a Top 3 talent.

Cavaliers Lottery Luck
Any tale of lottery luck for the Cavaliers begins in 2003, when the Cavaliers’ combination of winning ping pong balls added up to "23" – literally and figuratively. Cleveland made the obvious selection of LeBron James and enjoyed seven years of unprecedented success. Aside from the 2003 Lottery, the Wine and Gold never finished above sixth – although, through a previous trade with Boston, they did have two lottery picks in 1999 – which they used on Andre Miller (8) and Trajan Langdon (11). The year before selecting LeBron, Cleveland used that sixth pick on DaJuan Wagner, although it was their second-rounder, Carlos Boozer, who would go on to greater things. The Cavs’ second-luckiest lottery result came in the second-ever lottery in 1986, which was actually won by the Sixers – who eventually traded that pick to Cleveland for Roy Hinson and cash. The Cavaliers used that top choice to select five-time All-Star, Brad Daugherty.

Team Needs
The Pistons finished last in field-goal percentage defense. Any stand to reverse a two-year absence from the postseason starts at that end. A bookend to last year’s rookie find, Greg Monroe, would be the first priority. Because Monroe showed the versatility to play power forward or center as a rookie – and, beyond that, an ability to modify his game as he adjusted to the greater size-speed-strength of NBA big men – the Pistons feel they can merely take the best big man available, whether he projects as a power forward or a center. The preference would be for an athletic big – someone who can play above the rim. If that fit isn’t there, then two other possibilities – though good luck finding them, perhaps, in this draft – are (1) a go-to scorer or (2) a pass-first point guard who could draw out the best in the supply of perimeter scorers already on the roster.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Pistons
We just outlined three areas of need. Getting a top-three pick would give the Pistons the best chance to address any one of them. Kyrie Irving appears the only draft candidate who has a shot to join the elite young players in the league at his position – Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, et al. Rodney Stuckey finished the season with a flourish – 25 points and nine assists on 53 percent shooting over his final five games – and the Pistons are content with him at point guard. But they like Stuckey off the ball equally well, and a Stuckey-Irving combination could be dynamic at both ends. Derrick Williams could emerge as a top-10 NBA scorer a few years down the road, exhibiting Carlos Boozer-like qualities with greater shooting range. And Enes Kanter, with his inside-outside versatility, could be that hand-in-glove fit next to Monroe and give the Pistons an interior foundation they can build around over the next decade plus, though there are a number of other big men who would bear consideration, as well.

Pistons Lottery Luck
The Pistons are happy to report they don’t have an extensive lottery history. Only San Antonio and Dallas had longer playoff streaks than Detroit’s eight when it was snapped last spring. Their best lottery pick remains Grant Hill in 1994 as the No. 3 pick. But Monroe could supplant him someday, based on his rookie promise. Getting him took no small amount of luck, even if it took some bad luck to make it possible. The Pistons and Philadelphia tied at 27-55 in 2009-10, but Philly won the tiebreaker to enter the lottery in the No. 6 slot to the Pistons’ No. 7. As a result, one of the lottery combinations awarded to the 76ers drew them into the No. 2 draft spot. That seemed a terrible blow to the Pistons at the time, but with John Wall off the board at No. 1, the Pistons wouldn’t have found a better fit than Monroe proved to be even if they had gotten the No. 2 pick. It also helped when Golden State surprised almost everybody by showing a late preference for Ekpe Udoh at No. 6. The Pistons liked Udoh, but they loved Monroe and were thrilled he fell to them.

Team Needs
The Warriors’ greatest needs involve depth and an interior presence. Even if Andris Biedrins returns to his double-double form from two years ago, the team still could benefit from another strong rebounder who provides a physical presence in the paint. Scoring points isn’t an issue with the Warriors, it’s keeping the opposition from doing so that has proved to be troublesome. Obtaining a player who can rebound and defend the rim, whether it’s his man or on help defense, should help the team’s overall defense and make the Warriors a playoff contender. Should a big man or two be obtained via free agency or a trade, expect the Warriors to use their pick on the best player available. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Larry Riley is a big proponent of that strategy, and that would make even more sense with the team currently looking for a new head coach.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Warriors
It would be just another sign the organization is going in the right direction. The team’s ownership has guaranteed a playoff appearance next season and Assistant General Manager Bob Myers recently stated that the team is one or two players from being a perennial playoff contender. The addition of a top-three player to a core of Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, David Lee and Dorell Wright could certainly help the team get there. While trading down in the draft wouldn’t be a huge shock if it meant addressing a few of the team’s other needs, a more realistic scenario would involve the Warriors selecting an NBA-ready player as opposed to a prospect in need of more polishing.

Warriors Lottery Luck
The Warriors are about due for some good fortune in the NBA Draft Lottery. The team hasn’t moved up from its pre-lottery position since 1995, when they were awarded the first pick (Joe Smith) despite having the fifth-best odds to do so. Since then, Golden State has remained consistent with its pre-lottery position eight times and moved down five times. In his first year as Warriors owner, Joe Lacob will look to change the team’s lottery luck and bring home a top-three pick in his first appearance at the NBA Draft Lottery.

Team Needs
First and foremost, the Rockets simply need elite talent, period, regardless of position. While Houston does have solid depth and a handful of players who have shown they can play at or near an All Star level, the club has lacked the sort of superstar talent often necessary for championship contention ever since injuries derailed the careers of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Beyond that, the Rockets have gone on record recognizing the team’s need for more size and length along the interior. Like nearly every team in the NBA, Houston could use a quality rim protector capable of altering shots and cleaning up the defensive glass. The Rockets ranked 18th overall in defensive efficiency and No. 20 in defensive rebound rate last season, numbers that go a long way in explaining why Houston finds itself in the lottery for the second straight season. Acquire that special someone who can help in those two areas, however, and it’s not difficult to imagine the Rockets rapidly recovering and reinserting themselves into the Western Conference playoff mix once more.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Rockets
Such a scenario would be the stroke of luck General Manager Daryl Morey and his staff have been hoping for in their tireless efforts to propel this team back into contender status. Morey’s work to bring perennial All Star type talent to Houston has been well-documented, as he’s been among the league’s most active GMs in terms of pursuing trades, combing free agency and working the draft. To beat the odds and move from the 14th overall selection to a spot in the top-3 would be a massive bit of good fortune, allowing Morey to add a key piece to the Rockets’ arsenal no matter what he decides to do with the pick (keep it, offer it as part of a package to acquire an already-established star, etc.). If the Rockets were to find themselves in such a fortuitous spot, Derrick Williams would seem to be the best fit given the makeup of Houston’s current roster, though I’ve no doubt the Rockets’ brain trust would take whomever they have highest on their board, regardless of need. That means Kyrie Irving could be in play, too, in addition to a handful of the top European prospects including the likes of Jan Vesely, Jonas Valanciunas, Bismack Biyombo and Enes Kanter.

Rockets Lottery Luck
The Rockets have not been frequent visitors to the lottery process – this year will serve as just the team’s seventh such appearance since the league first went to the lottery process in 1985. That speaks to Houston’s high overall standard of play during that time, as does the fact that of those seven appearances, this will be the fourth time the Rockets stand as the final team in by virtue of having the best record of all the league’s non-playoff teams – a pewter lining if ever there was one, but still indicative of the fact that it’s been nearly three decades since the Rockets franchise last hit rock bottom. Houston’s worst season during that stretch took place in 2001-02, which also marked the one and only time the Rockets have moved up in the lottery, hitting the jackpot which allowed them to move up to No. 1 from the fifth spot, and in the process secure the rights to Yao Ming.

Team Needs
The Bucks led the NBA in games missed due to injury (277) and didn’t have our entire roster healthy for one day last season – including training camp. So with that said, a healthy team next season is a huge priority and with that we’ll get a better chance to see what our team is all about. According to GM John Hammond, "We need to shoot it better and there’s hardly a team in the NBA that has enough ‘bigs’. We could always use another big and a backup big would help along with the backup point guard spot. I think this year, we go into the draft saying let’s talk about probably best player on the board. I don’t know that we necessarily say we’re going to put the emphasis on position, but take the best player on the board at whatever position that may be."

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Bucks
In a recent interview with Charles Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, John Hammond said, "At 10 you know what your odds are but there's always hope. Obviously it could change the outlook of the draft (if the Bucks moved up to Nos. 1, 2 or 3). We're still very confident we'll get a solid player at 10."

Bucks Lottery Luck
We were very fortunate to move from No. 6 to No. 1 in the 2005 lottery. We selected the consensus National Player of the Year, center Andrew Bogut from Utah, who has been a terrific player and one of the cornerstones of the franchise. Last season, Bogut led the NBA in blocked shots (2.6 bpg) and had he qualified, would have finished 5th in the NBA in rebounds with a career-best 11.1 rpg. In 2009, we maintained our position at #10 and drafted Brandon Jennings who was named All-Rookie First Team and was the first Eastern Conference rookie to win the Rookie of the Month Award four times.

Team Needs
For a team that only compiled 17 wins in 2010-11, the offseason focus must expand outside of drafting based on need as the Wolves will look to acquire an abundance of talent and deal with the puzzle pieces at a later date. Depending on the arrival of the much-anticipated Ricky Rubio, Minnesota would like to add a floor general with its top pick. While the Wolves offense greatly improved by averaging 101.1 points per game, the efficiency within the halfcourt sets was often lacking and the team committed a league-high 16.5 turnovers each outing. A pass-first ball handler that effectively takes care of the rock would help Minnesota create a more dynamic offense in 2011-12. Additionally, the Wolves surrendered the most points per game in the NBA at 107.7, which is the most glaring issue for a club searching for its first playoff appearance since 2004. To improve next season, this squad also needs defensive minded specialists both inside the paint and on the perimeter to halt deep range scoring opportunities from the opposition.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Timberwolves
Analysts believe the 2011 NBA Draft is dearth of depth and talent as seen in previous years. However, elite prospects reside in the top three, including the most coveted player in this year's draft, Kyrie Irving. Derrick Williams, Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, and the fast rising big man Bismack Biyombo all offer intriguing skill sets and upside for the Wolves if they landed in the top three. If Minnesota dropped out of the top three, the front office may look for trade partners to either snag a veteran or stockpile more picks without a selection in the second round.

Timberwolves Lottery Luck
Fans in the Twin Cities cringe at the Lottery misfortune for the Wolves during their 13 previous lottery appearances. Minnesota has never moved up in the draft through the lottery, remained in the same draft position six times, and fallen seven times. With a 25 percent chance to grab the top spot, the Wolves are hoping to buck the odds, considering only two teams in the last 17 years have won the top overall pick with the best percentage to claim the Lottery's top prize. If luck escapes the franchise once again, fans should feel comfort with a trip down memory lane. In 1995, Minnesota dropped from the projected No. 3 pick to No. 5 and landed future Hall of Famer and former MVP Kevin Garnett.

Team Needs
After advancing to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Suns finished 40-42 and find themselves in the lottery. But, hey, all you need is a ping pong ball and a dream! Although they ended up six games out of the playoffs in the Western Conference, the Suns would have seen postseason action in the East. In order to become a title contender once again, Phoenix will be on the hunt for the type of player that can create a shot for himself. The Suns often found themselves falling short at the end of games this season, because they couldn’t find easy baskets or get to the line in crunch time. In addition, the Suns could use an energy guy off the bench. During their 2010 playoff run, the bench routinely outscored the opposition’s first stringers and reserves. However last season, the Suns’ second unit was inconsistent, coughing up leads and losing the first team’s momentum once they exited the game.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Suns
With a 0.6-percent chance at the No. 1 pick, Suns fans aren’t exactly mortgaging their future on this. However, with the odds of landing a Top 3 pick being 2.2 percent, that’s a whole other story! Besides bringing widespread jubilation to the Valley of the Sun, a Top 3 pick would give Phoenix the opportunity of landing a player that could make an immediate impact. Due to the winning consistency of the franchise, the Suns have never been fortunate enough to land a No. 1 overall pick in any draft. Twice they have drafted from the No. 2 position, selecting Neal Walk in 1969 and Armon "The Hammer" Gilliam in 1987. Since 1987, the Suns have drafted no higher than the No. 7 slot, which they did in the 1988 and 2004 drafts. If the Suns were to land a Top 3 pick this season, the front office could go in a number of directions, filling needs on the glass, the defensive end or in the scoring department.

Suns Lottery Luck
Mathematically, the Suns are projected to get the No. 13 pick in the draft. Fortunately for the Suns, the organization has been able to discover tremendous talent in the middle of the first round. Before going on to become one of Phoenix’s favorite Suns, the fans booed when Dan Majerle was selected with that No. 14 pick in the 1988 NBA Draft. Majerle went on to win a gold medal in the FIBA World Championships, a bronze medal in the 1988 Olympics, and become a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-Defensive Team selection. And don’t forget the 1996 NBA Draft, where the Suns landed two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star Steve Nash with the No. 15 selection. Historically, the Suns have built the pillars of their team through the draft. In 1999, four-time All-Star Shawn Marion was selected with the No. 9 pick. Three years later, with the same spot in the lottery, the Suns nabbed six-time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire. With the recent success of the team, the Suns have only had one lottery pick since the 2005 season.

Team Needs
The Kings ride into the 2011 offseason in the midst of a full youth movement. The team has relied on the Draft in recent years, selecting the multifaceted big man Jason Thompson in 2008, powerful guard Tyreke Evans in 2009 and supremely talented power forward-center DeMarcus Cousins in 2010. Currently, the team looks set in two of the most difficult positions to fill – point guard and center – for years to come. Now, it’s a matter of bolstering the youthful team with additional talent to complement the dynamic pair. A strong perimeter defender could assist a team that ranked 25th in opponent points per game (104.7) and a consistent three-point threat would help the Kings, who finished 26th in the NBA in long-distance marksmanship (33.5 percent) in 2010-11.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Kings
Although the team has not finished in the top three of the Lottery in the last two years, selecting fourth and fifth respectively, the Kings would delight in the opportunity to pick in the top three. It’s been 20 years since the team last selected in the top three, drafting Billy Owens with the third-overall pick in 1991. As the Draft order of selection currently stands, the Kings have a 7.6 percent chance to win the top pick.

Kings Lottery Luck
It’s safe to say the Kings have not had Lottery luck in recent seasons, receiving the lowest possible outcome in 2009 (fourth pick), after finishing with the highest chance to receive the first-overall pick. Due to Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie’s Draft Day brilliance, however, the team has walked away with arguably the best young pair in the last two Drafts. Evans won the 2009-10 Rookie of the Year award after tallying averages of 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists in his first season in Sacramento. Only Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and LeBron James boast averages of that caliber in their first NBA season. The 6-foot-6 guard also took home 2010 Rookie Challenge MVP honors during All-Star Weekend in Dallas. Last summer, Petrie earned high-praise again with the selection of Kentucky’s Cousins. The forward-center had an impactful first-year campaign, finishing with averages of 14.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He narrowly missed the 2011 Rookie Challenge MVP nod after he exploded for 33 points and 14 rebounds in the Rookie’s victory. Ultimately, a top three pick would be nice but Kings fans have great faith in the team’s track record of making astute selections wherever it may land.

Team Needs
Talent first and foremost. A very young Raptors team was competitive in its first season of the post-Bosh era, but more often than not was overmatched. More specifically, general manager Bryan Colangelo has cited his desire for a rim-protecting defensive presence up front, which makes complete sense given the Raptors continued struggles with defensive efficiency (109.8 points allowed per 100 possessions, 30th overall), rebounding (40.3 per game, 21st) and blocks (4.3 per game, 22nd). Beyond that, the Raptors desperately need to improve their shooting from distance -- a former strength. Their 3-point shooting percentage dropped to dead last in 2010-11, with makes and attempts per game from beyond the arc not far behind.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Raptors
The odds are certainly in the Raptors' favour to land a top three pick, but I'd lead the bash down Bay Street if they can wind up either first or second. This team needs an infusion of top tier talent and this draft represents the Raptors' best opportunity to do so since 2006, when they used the first overall pick to select Andrea Bargnani. There's the possibility for major change in Toronto this offseason at the ownership, management and coaching levels, but this pick can go a long way towards solidifying the on-court foundation of a young nucleus if the Raptors can ace it.

Raptors Lottery Luck
The Raptors haven't had any luck moving up the last two seasons, but came away with Ed Davis (13th in 2010) and DeMar DeRozan (ninth in 2009) -- two big parts of the team's future. The Raptors vaulted from a projected fifth pick to first to land Bargnani in 2006, but beyond that, they haven't been able to move up in the lottery since climbing from three to two to land Marcus Camby back in 1996. Of the 12 lottery picks the Raptors have made in their history, they've actually dropped five times, so they’re due for a lucky bounce!

Team Needs
Positional needs: The Wizards enter the draft with seven players under contract for next season and at least one player to fill every position in their starting lineup. With a well-balanced lineup, there is no glaring need and thus the team will look to stay with the same game plan as last season of taking the best player available to add young depth to the team. However, of the seven players under contract only small forward Rashard Lewis is over the age of 25, and the team lacks a young presence behind him at the small forward position and could use the infusion of a young athletic wing.

What Getting a Top 3 Pick Would Mean for the Wizards
After grabbing the top spot last year, the Wizards would love for history to repeat itself in 2011. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has made it clear that the team is looking to build through the draft and another top 3 pick would be more than welcome to a front office looking to continue to add to their young nucleus. However, a top three pick is hardly a necessity for the Wizards who enter the draft with multiple first-round selections (they also hold the 18th pick) and lots of cap space.

Wizards Lottery Luck
One year ago, lady luck shined down on the Wizards, as Irene Pollin, representing the Wizards for the final time as owner, stood with her mouth wide open in shock as the Wizards landed the number one pick in the draft lottery. The 1st overall pick turned out to be John Wall, who will represent the Wizards at this year’s lottery. Hoping to hone some of Pollin’s good luck, Wall has chatted with Pollin about his attire for the upcoming lottery. The team also won the lottery and received the first pick in the draft in 2001.